Air pollution, environmental perceptions, and citizen satisfaction: A mediation analysis

Abstract

Air pollution is more than an environmental or health issue. Our findings suggest that Chinese citizens exposed to more industrial sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and dust emissions are less likely to be satisfied with environmental administration. Chinese citizens living with poorer air quality also tend to be dissatisfied with law enforcement. Last, perceptions of air pollution are affected by measured industrial emissions and shape citizen satisfaction. In sum, this paper provides evidence that air pollution corrodes citizen satisfaction via environmental perceptions. This improves understanding of the political costs of environmental degradation and the underlying mechanism.

Keywords: Air pollution; China; Citizen satisfaction; Environmental perceptions; Mediation analysis.